You and your family won’t be the only guests at your Fourth of July barbecue. Mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus undoubtedly will be looking for a feast as well.

Officials at the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District remind community members to protect themselves at dawn and dusk, when insects are on patrol.

“This weekend, many will be outside enjoying the fireworks and other evening activities when mosquitoes are most active,” said David Brown, district manager. “It is very important for everyone to protect themselves by wearing an effective mosquito repellent.”

The recent storm left a lot of stagnant water and the hot temperatures expected over the weekend will create the ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed and multiply, Brown said.

“Now, more than ever, we urge all residents to do their part and help us control mosquitoes that may be developing in their back yard,” he said in a news release. “In hot weather it only takes four to seven days for mosquitoes to complete their life cycle. This means that in the days to come we’ll see a significant increase in the number of mosquitoes and this adds to the risk for contracting West Nile virus.”

In 2010, six people died from West Nile virus in California, and 111 human cases were reported.

For more information, visit http://www.FIGHTtheBITE.net or call (800) 429-1022.

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